When you think of a sapphire, a blue gemstone probably comes to mind first. This is not surprising as the blue sapphire is considered one of the three Classic Gemstones, along with emerald and ruby, and has been valued for centuries. Yet, as hallowed a place that blue sapphires hold in the gemstone world, we can’t ignore the other colors of sapphire that are special in their own right.

Sapphire is the gem variety of the mineral corundum. Corundum comes in all colors of the spectrum and is called sapphire for every color except red, when it is referred to as ruby. A sapphire’s value is determined by several factors including color, clarity and origin. Whether a sapphire is treated in some way, generally by heating, can affect its value as well. Let’s look at a few examples of some of our favorite fancy color sapphires.

Pink Sapphire:

Sapphires come in many shades of pink, from super vivid to a barely discernable wisp. Value is often determined by the saturation of pink throughout the gem, but with lighter pink sapphires, the quality of the cutting and clarity may have a bigger impact. A premium is placed on sapphires that are completely natural with no external enhancements or treatments. The 6.61 carat pink sapphire is one of those special, natural pink sapphires.

Padparadscha Sapphire:

Named after the lotus flower blossom of Sri Lanka, the orangey-pink Padparadscha sapphire is a favorite amongst colored gemstone connoisseurs. These special sapphires are rare in their optimal color and typically demand a hefty premium over pink or orange sapphires. As you can see above with this 5.73 carat oval, we love to surround our padparadscha sapphires with rose gold to complement the color.

Purple Sapphire:

Some of the prettiest sapphires are in the purple family. These gems range in color including lilac, lavender and deep, royal purple. The color is believed to be a result of trace amounts of vanadium in the sapphire. We love to work with sapphires in this color range, often pairing them with pink sapphires in rose gold for a very rich look.

Green Sapphire:

Fine green sapphires are rare, bold and really beautiful. The green color is caused by trace amounts of iron within the gemstone. The color ranges from pale to rich, dark shades. When we obtain a top quality green sapphire, we like to accent it with alexandrites and diamonds for an interesting combination – as can be seen in the ring above.

We could use up a lot more space going on and on about all of the different colors of sapphire, but we need to leave some for us to discuss in a future blog. Sapphires in all colors are a great addition to any collection as they are durable and have lasting value. The best part is that no matter what your favorite color is that there is a sapphire available for you in that color. We always have a great selection of fancy colored sapphire jewelry on hand or we can provide an unset gemstone for custom designs. Call or email us today.

There was a time in this great land, not too long ago, when a great behemoth of a company ruled the airwaves with a constant barrage of commercials stating that “A Diamond is Forever”. One would have been considered weird or rebellious to get engaged with anything other than a diamond. Well, things have changed here in the 21st century with a renaissance of color emerging in engagement rings. Women and men are choosing gemstones for their most important and symbolic piece of jewelry that better reflect them as individuals. It is a new age, free of any pressure or traditional bonds to choose fabulous color over the monotony of the colorless.

Prior to the days of mass marketing’s influence on the population, colored gemstones were far more popular as a symbol of one’s love for another. In fact, sapphires were the gemstone of choice in early engagement rings, not only for their beauty, value and symbolism of love, but they were also believed to reveal any infidelity of the wearer. In the 18th and 19th century, colored gemstones were valued higher than diamonds, so it was more special for a bride to receive a rarer, more valuable colored gemstone than a more run-of-the-mill diamond.

Today’s brides-to-be can choose from an incredible array of gemstones and hues. There are so many reasons that a person may connect with a particular type of gemstone. It could be as simple as a favorite color. It could be the origin of the gemstone. It could be a special cosmic trait that a gemstone posesses and creates a bond with the wearer. Whatever the reason, there is a universe of options available to the newly unshackled engagement ring shopper.

There are some practical considerations that should come into the decision-making process when choosing a colored gemstone engagement ring. One of the most important factors is durability. You will wear your engagement ring for a long time, so it is imperative to select a gemstone that will stand up to the daily grind of life. Really durable gemstones include sapphires, rubies, chrysoberyl (alexandrite), topaz and spinel. Within this list, you will find every color in the rainbow to select from. Your choices are endless and it is entirely up to the wearer as to which gemstone speaks to him or her.

Colored gemstones are returning as the symbol of love and romance as they have been throughout history. The few decades-long blip on the radar of mass marketed colorless stones is being replaced by a new era of freedom of choice and personal expression. We are honored and proud to be able to play a role in so many new special moments involving our beautiful colored gemstones and award-winning jewelry designs, and look forward to many more as color returns to its rightful place in the realm of romance.

Halloween has arrived and amongst all of the fall colors, we like to sweeten things up with a little pink! From pink tourmaline to spinel to pink sapphire and even kunzite, there are a variety of colored gemstones that can brighten up any fall day. View a few of our favorites this season. Happy Halloween!

We are always excited to welcome the fall season at Omi Privé, as it celebrates sapphire, the birthstone of September. Sapphire is named from the Greek “Sappheiros,” which is roughly translated as “blue stone.”

Sapphire comes in a wide range of blues, varying from very light to deep blue that can appear nearly black. A slightly subdued hue of sapphire known as cornflower blue, displays a lighter and more open blue, which is preferred by many. A highly valued shade of sapphire is “Royal Blue,” which is a very deep, rich blue. The very finest sapphires are a velvet, slightly violetish medium to medium dark blue, often called Kashmir blue, after its original location in India.

A wondrous fact about sapphire, besides its durability (it is a 9 on the Mohs Hardness Scale), is that it is found in a multitude of colors. Generally referred to as “fancy sapphires,” these include pink, purple, violet, yellow, orange, green and their intermediate hues. Some sapphires do exhibit a color-change, most often transitioning from blue in daylight or fluorescent light to purple in incandescent light. Padparadscha sapphires are amongst the rarest, exhibiting a unique combination of pink and orange, reminiscent of a warm sunset.

With the start of the new year, requests and purchases are already being made for Valentine’s Day. I decided to do a bit of research for this significant holiday.

Valentine’s Day can be traced to an ancient Roman festival called Lupercalia, which was celebrated annually in mid-February. The festival was to avert evil spirits and purify the city, releasing health and fertility. Later, in the third century AD, Emperor Claudius II banned marriage in an effort to strengthen the Roman military. He believed that single males made better soldiers. A defiant Roman priest named Father Valentine performed marriage ceremonies in secret. The emperor caught on, and sentenced him to death. It is stated that while imprisoned, Father Valentine fell in love with his jailer’s daughter. On the morning of his execution, February 14th, he passed the young girl a note, and signed it “from your Valentine.” Thus, a tradition was born.

Today, 1 billion cards are sent each Valentine’s Day. 220 million roses are produced for this day alone in the U.S. Every year, an estimated 6 million couples are likely to get engaged on February 14th. One of the most interesting facts is that $4 billion is spent on jewelry to be given on Valentine’s Day every year.

Currently, there are many captivating Omi Privé pieces to be gifted this holiday. It was difficult to compile this list of favorites!

Omi Privé has been recognized by jewelry industry for the third year in a row!

Two of Omi Privé’s sapphire and diamond platinum rings have been awarded First Place in the seventh Annual JCK Jewelers’ Choice Awards. Presented by JCK Magazine, the Jewelers’ Choice Awards are recognized as the industry’s highest honor for excellence in jewelry design and craftsmanship in a variety of categories. Retail jewelers throughout the world may cast votes through JCK’s web site for their favorites over a three-month duration. Omi Privé’s one-of-a-kind pink sapphire and diamond ring was also recognized as a finalist in the category of “Best Ring Design over $10,000.”

The first winning sapphire ring is handcrafted in platinum and won in the “Platinum Jewelry over $10,000” category. Sixteen diamond-encrusted prongs hoist its one-of-a-kind 17.00 carat no-heat Sri Lankan sapphire. Niveet Nagpal, head designer and President of Omi Privé, describes the unique oval gem as the inspiration for the piece, “The intensity of the blue in this stone is extremely rare for an unheated sapphire. I immediately realized it deserved a setting just as unique. I studied its individual properties and envisioned a design that would enliven and compliment the splendor of the stone.”

The second sapphire ring won first place in the “Bridal Jewelry over $10,000” category. A stunning 3.50 carat radiant-cut sapphire is framed perfectly by a double border of round sapphires and brilliant diamond rounds. Handcrafted in platinum, the hidden beauty of this piece lies underneath, where two inner baskets of hand-set French pavé diamonds and blue sapphires cross to form its base.First Place Winner, Bridal Jewelry over $10,000

“We are honored to have won this year, and we thank all of the jewelry retailers who voted for Omi Privé. Our continued determination is to bring the stones to life through the jewelry in which they are presented,” concludes Nagpal.

Succeeding the official launch of Omi Privé’s new web site, and attending the AGTA GemFair in Tucson, has deduced a central fact: this is the year for COLOR. From in-demand pinks to alluring double halo designs, below are the top 10 Privé pieces noticed, desired, and adored into 2014.

Perfectly aligned with New York Fashion Week, Pantone has released their Spring 2014 Color Report, revealing soft pastels paired with vivid brights for a colorful equilibrium. Inspired by a mixture of blooming flowers, travels abroad, and strong, confident women, designers are using color to refresh, revive and defy conventional wisdom.

“This season, consumers are looking for a state of thoughtful, emotional and artistic equilibrium,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. “…the inherent versatility of the individual colors allows for experimentation with new looks and color combinations.”

Omi Privé is excited to introduce some of 2014’s colors in our latest designs. Let us know which color is your favorite! You can even take the 2014 Color Survey here and see which color has the lead!

Radiant Orchid is a perfect companion to pastels and pairs well mixed with other bold colors. Pink sapphire comes in a variety of hues, including “Radiant Orchid” as seen in this one-of-a-kind pink sapphire platinum and 18K rose gold ring.

Placid Blue, induces a sense of calmness and tranquility as seen in our double-halo sapphire and platinum engagement ring. With its clean and clear-blue, cornflower blue sapphire will make its wearer feel the breeze and brilliant shine of calm seas.

Hemlock, a summery, ornamental green, provides a touch that’s different from the Emerald green of last year. Green tourmaline paired with yellow gold is the perfect hue to carry summer through every season!